FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Matthew Tkachuk is skating again, though the Florida Panthers still aren't sure when their star forward will be able to make his season debut.
Tkachuk had surgery in August after spending much of the second half of last season — including Florida's run to a second consecutive Stanley Cup — dealing with a sports hernia and torn adductor muscle.
He delivered the update on the “Wingmen” podcast that he co-hosts with his brother, Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators.
“He's still quite a way away, but he's back on the ice and he wasn't two weeks ago,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “So, we're taking it.”
The Panthers have been operating under the premise that Tkachuk is on a “December-ish” timetable to return, which still sounds logical. Whenever Tkachuk gets back, he figures to provide a huge boost to an injury-decimated lineup, one that has been missing captain Aleksander Barkov after he tore his ACL in his first training camp practice.
Tkachuk spent the first few weeks of the summer rehabbing with hopes of trying to avoid surgery but eventually had the procedure immediately after his wedding and honeymoon in France. He skated twice last week — “the first time I've put on my skates, like legit, since Game 6” of the Stanley Cup Final, he said — and then checked in with doctors to come up with the next phase of a plan.
“I'm just excited to get out with the boys,” Tkachuk said. “I don't know when that's going to be, but it's obviously kind of getting over that hump and sooner rather than later. It's starting to trend really, really well.”
There are a slew of benchmarks Tkachuk has to hit along the way, Maurice said.
Tkachuk missed the final 25 games of the regular season last spring but was able to play through both injuries for the Panthers when they won their second consecutive Stanley Cup. It also would seem like Tkachuk is on pace to be with USA Hockey in February at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Tkachuk had 23 points — eight goals and 15 assists — in 23 playoff games, including seven points in the Stanley Cup Final against Edmonton. The Panthers beat the Oilers in six games.
“I've just got to get the jets on and start feeling good and I think I'll be hopefully picking up where I left off, if not hopefully better,” Tkachuk said. “That's the ideal plan.”
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
We're excited to announce our India Community Travel in Spring 2026! Join this virtual Zoom … Read moreTravel to India Information Session (Online)
“A dazzling delight for all ages” Read moreRodger's & Hammerstein's Cinderella
Dirk van Ulden said:
I always thought that his disorder was race baiting. But, they discovered another one?
Dirk van Ulden said:
Anyone can put a list together, but few can deliver results.
Dirk van Ulden said:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.